Plantago maritima
Alkali plantain
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Family: Plantaginaceae · Type: Herb · Native
Plantago maritima (Alkali plantain) is a native California herb in the Plantaginaceae family, recognized by coastal saline habitat and narrow leaves diagnostic.
Alkali plantain is a California native perennial found in coastal bioregions including northern Coast, Central Coast, San Francisco Bay, and northern Channel Islands in coastal bluffs and wet, saline places at elevations below 150 meters. Flowering from May to September, this plant produces small, inconspicuous flowers in narrow cylindric spikes 2 to 10 centimeters long. Growing with a stout caudex and long, thick taproot, it forms dense clumps with erect stems. Its distinctive leaves are 3 to 15 centimeters long, linear to narrowly oblanceolate, gradually tapering to the base and sometimes sparsely toothed. The plant produces 2 to 3 small seeds, each approximately 2 millimeters long.
Identification and appearance
Key characters: 11 sympatric species; coastal saline habitat and narrow leaves diagnostic
Habitat and range
Habitat: Coastal bluffs, wet, saline places
Elevation: < 150 m
California counties: Humboldt, Marin, San Mateo, Mendocino, Monterey, San Francisco, San Luis Obispo, Santa Cruz, Santa Barbara, Sonoma, Del Norte, Alameda, Orange
Outside California: to Alaska, northeastern North America
Bloom period
Plantago maritima blooms May-Sep.
How to tell it apart
vs Carex: Plantago has broad ribbed leaves in rosettes; Carex has narrow grass-like leaves in 3 ranks.; vs Rumex: Plantago leaves have parallel veins; Rumex leaves have a prominent central midvein with branching veins.; vs Dudleya: Plantago has thin ribbed leaves; Dudleya has thick succulent leaves.; vs Micropus: Plantago has dense cylindrical spikes; Micropus has woolly flower heads in leaf axils.; vs Amsinckia: Plantago has parallel-veined leaves in rosettes; Amsinckia has bristly alternate leaves on upright stems.
Frequently asked questions
Is Plantago maritima native to California?
Yes. Plantago maritima is native to California (recorded as native).
When does Plantago maritima bloom?
Plantago maritima blooms May-Sep.
Where in California does Plantago maritima grow?
Plantago maritima occurs in Humboldt, Marin, San Mateo, Mendocino, Monterey, San Francisco, San Luis Obispo, Santa Cruz and other counties, at elevations of < 150 m.
What plant family does Plantago maritima belong to?
Plantago maritima is in the Plantaginaceae family, genus Plantago.
What habitat does Plantago maritima grow in?
Plantago maritima grows in Coastal bluffs, wet, saline places.
Related species
Other California species in the same genus, family, or bioregion.
Sources: Jepson eFlora · Index of California Plant Names · CalPhotos
Last updated 2026-10-07
Data from The California Species Project — 14,000+ California species with verified data from CNPS, CDFW, USFWS, Cal-IPC, and more.